What are some factors that influence political development in a country?

There are various factors that influence political development in a country. For the purposes of this answer, we'll identify the goal of political development as growth toward a more democratic system—we'll regard a more democratic system as a more developed one and, by extension, a less democratic system as a less developed one.
For example, in the United States, an abundance of fertile land, multiple opportunities for people to acquire land and to make a living, a willingness to support ambitious people, and an independent spirit helped the American political system grow.
There are some general factors that can be applied to each country. One factor is that the rule of law must exist. People must know what the laws are, and those laws can’t be changed just because the ruler doesn’t like the laws. People also must feel safe if they express political opinions. People must also have rights that are protected by the government. Failure to achieve this will slow political development. There also needs to be a belief that equal opportunity for all exists within the country. When people are able to take part in their government by running for office and by electing leaders, political development is more likely to occur. People must believe that their government is fair and provides opportunities for all. When these conditions exist, political development is more likely to occur.